A presentation on the Founding Fathers of Hammonds Plains

1. Presented by Hammonds Plains Historical
Society
November 17, 2016

9. Name given to the men
(families) who were
prominent in creating the
village of Hammonds Plains.

10. Robert Anderson
James Bezanson
George Frizzell
John Hays
Jacob Haverstock
Thomas Johnson
Amos Melvin
Christian Schmidt
Ebernezer Smith
Robert Thomson
George Worrall

11. Scottish descent
Set up one of first farms in Hammonds Plains
Purchased lot # 2 in the late 1780’s (Around
Edible Matters). Purchased lot # 6 after 1800’s
(where Haunted Hollow is located)
Married Ellen – had 6 children
Had considerable wealth – purchased land in
and around Halifax. Had success as a farmer in
H P. Supporter of road through H P
Sold H P Lands to daughter and husband - 1823
Died 1829

13. Was from a French Foreign Protestant heritage
Came from ship building family in Chester area
Married Dorothy Melvin in 1827 / bought part
of original lot 12 from Melvin Family
Had 13 children
Was a community leader – was assessor in
1840, served as trustee for Baptist Church
Family built the ‘Curlew’ in H P
Passed away in 1872

15. Was a loyalist from the US (New Jersey?).
Believed to have come to Hammonds Plains
(Yankeetown area) between 1809 – 1811
In 1811, George and Son petitioned for land
behind the McCrea Lot (behind Uplands Park)
Married Elizabeth Graham – Had 10 children
Frizzell family one of the founding members of
First Baptist Church
Died 1824
The Frizzell family ran a saw mill in Yankeetown
area in mid 1800’s

17. Moved to Hammonds Plains area around 1805, first
living in Yankeetown area
He was a loyalist of Scottish Descent
Married Phobe (last name unknown) – had 10 children
In 1815 he was granted original lot #25 (near White
Hills Long Term Care Center)
Died 1823
Laid the seeds for a timber empire around Pockwock
Lake. Son John Wesley and later grand sons Jonathon &
Norman operated a large mill at foot of Pockwock Lake
(approximately 1838 – 1890)
Norman was very first elected councillor representing
H. P.

19. German Descent. Father was a discharged soldier in
English military.
Moved to Hammonds Plains from Sackville Area
around 1802. Believed to have moved to Yankeetown
area
Married Nancy Anderson and after she died, married
her sister, Ellen. All together they had 16 children.
Anderson father (Robert) gave original lot # 6 to Jacob
and Ellen in 1823.
Jacob’s children attended Upper Hammonds Plains
School for many years (for free??)
Passed away in 1863
Laid the foundations for the family to become a giant
in the lumbering business in H P

21. Irish Descent, serving in Royal Military
Discharged from army. Settled in Chester area.
Considered educated.
Married Mary Tufts – had 9 children
Purchased original lot # 7 in 1812 (where Lucasville
Road joins H P Road)
Was a diversified business person – Operated grist mill
(imported from Britain), ran an Inn, was in charge of
mail.
Was first Victualler for Chesapeake Blacks
First person in H P given ‘Esquire’ status
Passed away in 1857, but before he died, he donated
land for Anglican Church (later St. Nicholas was built).

23. Known as the Father of H P
Born on Oak Island, came from well to do family.
Literate at a early age. Acquired large land holdings in
Chester area.
Married Dorothy Webber – Had 11 children
Sold his land holdings to purchase land in H P in 1811
(original lots # 11 & #27) Blue Barn Farms
Also purchased large tracts of land in Upper
Hammonds Plains / Around Pockwock Lake
Leader of the Chester Group – talked others into in
purchasing in H P. Brother Nathaniel also purchased
land in H P
In 1824, he donated land for cemetery and meeting
house. Also donated land for Chesapeake Blacks.

25. German Descent. Served as Captain in Royal Foreign
Artillery
Was granted the McCrae property (Uplands Park area)
in 1791, but it was depossessed in 1815, and he moved
to Halifax
Was in the lumbering industry – In 1805, he bought
land for a saw mill at Nine Mile River. Built mill but sold
it a year later
He died in 1828. However, one of his sons, Charles
returned to H P in 1860’s. Lived on side of Schmidt’s
Hill. He was a retired lawyer. Son, Henry operated a
steam mill, until it burnt down in 1902. Other son,
Frederick operated store in H P
Schmidt’s Lake named after family

27. Believed to have come from Maryland as a
loyalist, via short stays in Shelburne and Halifax
Acquired H P grant in 1787 – Original Lot # 22
(Yankeetown)
Became the only permanent settler who
acquired his land by grant
Married to Mary – had 5 children
Was a farmer
Was first overseer of H P Road
Year of death unknown
The Smith Family became known in H P for their
coopering skills

29. Part of the Chester Group – came to H P in 1811
Educated early in life
Bought original lot # 9 (Land around Woodhaven
Campground)
Very active in developing infrastructure of developing
village
He held titles – Commissioner of Roads, School
Trustee, Land Assessor, Clerk of First Baptist Church
Instrumental in creating First Baptist Church
Strong supporter of Education – made sure his children
were included in new Upper Hammonds School
Married Margaret Duncan – had 3 sons
Passed away in 1868 at 82. Buried in Baptist Cemetery.

31. Was a loyalist whose family had come from Boston
Purchased original lot # 12 (located on top of hill on
Bedford side of Kynock’s) in 1791
Well educated. Noted for his neat handwriting
Prominent in the community as an early business
leader. He established a mill near Big Indian Lake.
Had two sons who lived in Kemptown until 1850’s
Passed away in 1841